The two-day, family-friendly Grooves on the Green gathering features live music on two stages with plenty of other attractions including local food and drink; Kidzone with face painting, magicians and inflatables; a silent disco; clothing, craft stalls and a music therapy centre.
“Grooves is a brilliant day out for all the family – music fans, bands, mums and dads, grandparents, little kids, everyone has been asking about this year’s dates, I’ve a feeling it’s going to be better than ever,” says event organiser Jan Crump, who started the festival in 2000 as a way of bringing the vibrant Ashley Cross community together. “Back then Ashley Cross was very quiet so all the businesses were invited to take part and we’ve worked really hard ever since to get the support of local people and look what’s happened to Ashley Cross in the last few years – it’s a lively, buzzy place that everyone loves coming to for a good time.”
As well as adding in an additional bar area this year’s Grooves features an expanded food choice including quality hog roast, Bratwurst sausages, burgers by local business Smokeys, wood-fired pizza, the local South African restaurant Zim Brai, waffles, cakes, ice cream, candy floss and sweets. The new Bricklayers Bar is joined by a real ale and cider tent showcasing the best of the region’s micro-breweries and artisan producers. The new Groove Garden boasts its own Gin Bar supported by Groom On The Green Interiors with a seated area and private bathroom facilities. It means groovers can beat the queues at the main bars and sup up a selection of gins, Pimms, prosecco and classic summer drinks.
“Once again the support from local businesses has been amazing,” adds Jan. “They help bring the whole thing together – without their efforts Grooves on the Green just wouldn’t be the same.”
Compered by Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Allan Turner-Ward, the main stage music line up is headlined by genre-skipping singer songwriter Jack Grace on Saturday, with able support from Rujiero and the Urban Collective, Quayside and an old friend of Grooves, the irrepressible Si Genaro. Sunday finds self-styled modern day soul searcher DD Allen topping the bill with the rabble=rousing ukulele antics of the Mother Ukers, the delightful Emma Hardy Band and bluesy roots rockers Barefoot Soul.
Across the weekend acoustic stage is home to emerging talent headed by Grooves mainstay Lee Rasdall-Dove, Weymouth singer songwriter Edd Bleach and the highly rated Matt Griffiths.
For more event information and advance tickets visit www.groovesonthegreen.co.uk
Grooves on the Green
Ashley Cross
11am to 7pm, 20 & 21 July 2019
